CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Rising numbers of dogs and cats in shelters have led an animal welfare group in Chicago to ask the public for help.
In 2023, Chicago Animal Care and Control took in nearly 1,200 more dogs and cats than it did the year before, and more than 2,500 animals had to be euthanized.
Susanna Wickham, the CEO of PAWS Chicago, said the problem continues this year.
She said the increasing number of pets winding up in shelters is due to several factors, including people giving up animals they adopted during the COVID pandemic and the rising costs of feeding and caring for pets.
"There aren't enough adopters anymore and many people are giving up the pets they've accquirred just because the cost of ownership- kind of a perfect storm."
Wickham said that's why PAWS has launched the Chicago Animal Crisis Fund.
It will raise money to help PAWS save more animals from euthanasia, as well as provide assistance to more owners to overcome financial challenges that force them to surrender their pets.
More information about the fund is available here.
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